SYDNEY (Reuters) - U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens' preparations for the Australian Open hit a speed bump on Monday when she was bundled out of the Sydney International first round by Italy's Camila Giorgi.

Stephens, who has not played since the Fed Cup final in November, looked rusty against the big-hitting Giorgi and made 35 unforced errors as she lost 6-3 6-0 to the 26-year-old in just over an hour.

World number 13 Stephens has not won a match since beating Madison Keys in the final at Flushing Meadows in September.